Water closets

ABSTRACT

A valved by-pass connection between the water trap and sewer line of an otherwise conventional water closet to permit the establishment of an alternate water level capability in the toilet bowl to be used in association with a toilet tank that has full as well as fractional flush capability.

United States Patent 1 Wilhelm 1March 13, 1973 1 WATER CLOSETS [22] Filed: Jan. 24, 1972 [21] App1.No.: 220,257

52 US. Cl ..4/76, 4/1

3,041,630 7/1962 Williams ..4/67 A X 3,375,531 4/1968 Lake I ..4/67 A X 3,487,476 1/1970 Stiem ..4/67 R X FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 352,140 3/1905 France ..4/37

Primary Examiner-Henry K. Artis A valved by-pass connection between the water trap and sewer line of an otherwise conventional water closet to permit the establishment of an alternate water level capability in the toilet bowl to be used in association with a toilet tank that has full as well as [57] ABSTRACT [51] Int. Cl ..A47k 17/00, E03d 11/10 [58] Field of Search ..4/67, 67 A, 57, 37, 52, 76

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS I fractional flush capability. 1,805,204 5/1931 Brown ..4/37 2,731,647 l/l956 Groth et a1. ..4/67 A 3 Claims, 5 Drawing Figures M 6 5' E! 6i v Kai i I 1 1 2 PATENTEBHARI 3197s SHEETIBF 2 5 /ln-////////////////l WATERCLOSETS One of the primary concerns which is facing our nation today is the conservation of fresh water with the corollary problem of reducing the quantities of discharge of contaminated water into out waterways. One of the most flagrant wastes of fresh water in urban communities is the use of potable water in the flushing systems of our toilets. About gallons of water is em-- ployed each time such a cycle is initiated whether it is to dispose of the solid waste following defecation or less than a half pint of urine following a voiding of the bladder. Granted that the use of 5 gallons is necessary to dispose of and subsequently clean the bowl of a toilet after a defecation, 5 gallons is extremely excessive to dispose of a half pint of contaminating urine. When you consider the fact that the occasions of urination out number those of defecation of every person by a factor of 6 to 10, it is apparent that the provision of a facility which would efficiently and satisfactorily accommodate each function with only its individual needs would have a remarkable impact on water conservation, sewer use, disposal facilities, and clean waterways.

This problem has been recognized by many noted by the numerous patents on record which make it possible to flush a conventional toilet with either the full tank quantity or a smaller portion of it. However, none make any accommodation for adjusting the water level in the bowl of the water closet to meet the larger retained water requirements for sanitation and odor control associated with defecation and themuch smaller actual needs of a urine-only collection and disposal. It is my premise that any fractional flush facilitated by the techniques disclosed in the above mentioned patents would by insufficient to completely dispose of a full bowl of urine-only contaminated water and replace it with a bowl of water which is sanitarily and esthetically acceptable. Accordingly, it is the object of this inven tion to introduce a valve-controlled water passageway between the back portion of the conventional water closet trap and the sewer line with the trap end so positioned that when the valve is opened, the retained water level in the bowl is only of sufficient height to provide the desired odor-blocking action. With the valve closed, the introduction of additional water into the bowl establishes the conventional water level desired for the defecation process. All other features of a conventional water closet are to be employed as before.

In FIG. I I show a cross sectioned schematic view of a toilet tank employing a dual flush technique and the basic elements of a water closet embodying my invention rotated 90 with respect to the tank for clarity.

In FIG. II I show a cross sectional view taken thru line II of FIG. I to better illustrate the proposed construction and positioning of the by pass opening connecting the inner trap volume with the sewer passage.

FIGS. III, IV, and V are detailed views of significant elements of the basic invention.

The basic water closet I is intended to embody all of the conventional techniques of water flow, seat attachment, and sewer connection found in toilets presently on the market. It is attached in the usual manner to a toilet tank 2 which employs an established refilling device 3 which is controlled by a float 4. The tank is flushed by operating lever 5 which thru connecting rod 6 and stem 7 and hook 8, raises the ball cock 9 allowing the water in the tank to pass thru the opening 12 into the manifold 10 and hence into the water closet. The tank also includes a second fractional flush capability which is accomplished as follows: The operation of lever 5' raises ball cock 9' thru connecting links 6', 7', and 8' allowing only the water contained in standpipe 11 to pass into the manifold 10 and into the water closet. Standpipe 11 is cast as a part of the basic tank structure uniquely containing opening 12' as part of its structure, and has at its top a series of small openings 13 around its circumference about 2 inches below thenormal filled water line of the main tank. In this way the water in the standpipe is replenished with water from the main tank. It should be noted that operation of lever 5 discharges water from the main tank as well as the standpipe 11. Employment of lever 5 empties only standpipe 11. Turning attention to the water closet I show certain of the conventional features of a commercially available water closet as follows: Water siphon entrance 51, the rear wall of the bowl structure 14 which separates the bowl 16 from the water trap volume 17 with its lower extremity 15, the trap wall 18 which separates the trap volume 17 from the sewer access volume 19. The normal water level is indicated as 20 with a second or lower level indicated as 21. The heart of the invention is the introduction of an opening 22 in the trap wall 18 which permits the by pass of water from the trap volume 17 to the sewer access volume 19. The lower edge of opening 22 is positioned vertically in the trap wall 18 such that it establishes the lower level 21 at a height to cause the lower extremity 15 of the rear wall 14 of the bowl 16 to project about 1 inch into the water. This assures the proper functioning of the trap requirement with a minimum of water. Closure of the opening 22 by valve seat 24 and replaceable pad.47 permits the-next entrance of water to establish its normal level 20 as determined by the top of the trap wall 23. It is essential that opening 22 be of sufficient cross section. so as not to become clogged by, or otherwise impede, the passage of waste tissue used in female urinations.

FIG. II details the relationship of the valve shaft 25, i

the molded shaft support 26 in the side of the water closet wall 1, the valve seat 24, the valve attachment lugs 27, the handle 28, and the general arrangement of the attachment technique on the side of the water closet wall. There are undoubtedly many ways of positioning the valve seat 24, the details of FIGS. II, III, and IV being only one of them, and in no way do I intend to limit the scope of this invention to the one so depicted.

FIG. III enlarges on the details of this particular method of installing, properly positioning, controlling, and maintaining the valve seat 24. An opening 29 in one side of the water closet is formed in the molding process which is of sufficient diameter or shape to permit the insertion of the valve seat 24 and shaft 25. Around this opening 29 are to be cast an appropriate number of bolt holes 30 with recesses 31 for bolt 33 heads and hexagon recesses 32 to loosely contain without turning hexagon nuts 41. The bolts are to have screw driver slots 34 in the foot to facilitate tightening the nuts from the outside of the water closet. The shaft is held by a plate and sleeve configuration 40. The plate is to have holes 35 to match the bolt holes cast in the water closet wall and is held in place by a second nut 36 on each of the bolts 33. Two gasket rings 37 and 38 assure a vapor seal. A rubber washer 39 under each hexagon nut 41 further assures a vapor seal from sewer gases. The sleeve 40 provides one end support of the shaft 25. Support for the other end is derived from the recess 26 cast in the opposite wall of the water closet.

Shaft passes thru the plate and sleeve configuration 40 being restrained axially by a change in diameter of the shaft at point 42 and a packing gland nut 43 at the other. Packing material 44 between the sleeve and the shaft complete the vapor barrier between the sewer access volume 19 and the outside of the water closet. The shaft also has attached a circular segment of a cam surface 45 which contains two slots 52. These interact with a spring actuated detent 46 mounted on plate 40 to hold the valve in the full closed or full open position within the water closet. Positioning is accomplished by handle 28 attached to the outer end of shaft 25. The relationship of these elements is better understood by reference to FIG. IV.

FIG. V is a sectional portion of the interior of the water closet showing the relationship of the valve seat 24 to the trap wall 18, the opening 22, and the lower water level 21. It also illustrates how the upper part of the trap wall 23 is to be formed to shield the mechanism of the valve from the flow of solid waste following a defecation flush, i.e., opening 22 being closed by valve seat 24 and replaceable pad 47. Since the surface of the valve seat 24 is subject to deterioration with age, it should be. replaceable. Replaceable pads. 47 formed of a water and urine impervious soft material and containing two small bolts 48 are attached to valve seat 24 by passing the bolts thru the two holes 49 and constraining them in place by the use of wing nuts 50. The need for replacement is indicated when the upper water level cannot be maintained during the interval of time of a defecation. Replacement is accomplished by removing the plate, shaft and valve from the water closet.

The invention is best understood by tracing an operational cycle of the proposed water closet. Conventional plumbing and ball float control fill the tank to the normal level. Openings in the standpipe about 1 inch below the normal water level allow this standpipe to fill also. The lever atthe side of the water closet bowl is positioned for open valve which establishes and holds trapped water at the lower level condition. Urination takes place conventionally by either sex into the bowl.

Flushing is accomplished by operating the second flush handle (located on the right side of the tank) which opens the ball cock in the standpipe. Water drains from the standpipe into the normal flow route having bypassed the primary tank ball cock and flushes the toilet, the urine and water passing thru the opened bypass valve in the water closet. This lowers the level in the main tank to that of the small openings which refills in the conventional manner and simultaneously replenishes the standpipe thru the openings in its side. The flush is accomplished with a small fraction of the usual amount of water. The trapped water is replaced in the process and is held at the lower level. The toilet is prepared for a defecation by putting the handle on the water closet in the alternate position and operating the urination flush. This fills the bowl to the conventional level for odor control and sanitary cleanliness reasons.

Upon completion the toilet is flushed in the usual manner using the contents of the full tank. At any time during the flush sequence or preferably after, the handle is returned to the primary position establishing the trapped water level once again at the lower position at the end of the sequence. If the valve position is changed during the flush, it merely provides an additional route thru which the waste material can flow. The tank refills conventionally and replenishes the standpipe thru the openings at the end of the cycle. It is apparent, then, that the normal water level in the .toilet bowl is the lower position maintained by the inner valve being customarily in the open position.

While I have described my invention in certain of, its preferred embodiments, I realize that modifications may be made and I desire that it be understood that no limitations upon my invention are intended other than may be imposed by the scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A liquid-level control apparatus for a water closet bowl of the type having a water trap formed by a bowl rear wall and a trap wall spaced rearwardly therefrom, such trap serving to interconnect such bowl and a sewer access opening, comprising:

a valve opening in said trap wall intermediate the length thereof and interconnecting said water trap and said sewer access opening,

a valve member adapted to cooperate with said valve opening and mounted for movement into and out of contact with said valve opening, and

operating means connected to said valve member for selectively positioning said valve member,

whereby the liquid level in said bowl is selectively controlled by the positioning of said valve member, such liquid level being that of a conventional bowl when said valve opening is closed by said valve member, and being at a lower position corresponding to the bottom edge of said valve opening when said valve opening is open.

2. A liquid-level control apparatus in accordance with claim 1, wherein said operating means is mounted externally of said bowl.

3. A liquid-level control apparatus in accordance with claim 1, wherein said valve member includes a replaceableface pad, and said bowl includes an access opening through which access may be had to said valve member. 

1. A liquid-level control apparatus for a water closet bowl of the type having a water trap formed by a bowl rear wall and a trap wall spaced rearwardly therefrom, such trap serving to interconnect such bowl and a sewer access opening, comprising: a valve opening in said trap wall intermediate the length thereof and interconnecting said water trap and said sewer access opening, a valve member adapted to cooperate with said valve opening and mounted for movement into and out of contact with said valve opening, and operating means connected to said valve member for selectively positioning said valve member, whereby the liquid level in said bowl is selectively controlled by the positioning of said valve member, such liquid level being that of a conventional bowl when said valve opening is closed by said valve member, and being at a lower position corresponding to the bottom edge of said valve opening when said valve opening is open.
 1. A liquid-level control apparatus for a water closet bowl of the type having a water trap formed by a bowl rear wall and a trap wall spaced rearwardly therefrom, such trap serving to interconnect such bowl and a sewer access opening, comprising: a valve opening in said trap wall intermediate the length thereof and interconnecting said water trap and said sewer access opening, a valve member adapted to cooperate with said valve opening and mounted for movement into and out of contact with said valve opening, and operating means connected to said valve member for selectively positioning said valve member, whereby the liquid level in said bowl is selectively controlled by the positioning of said valve member, such liquid level being that of a conventional bowl when said valve opening is closed by said valve member, and being at a lower position corresponding to the bottom edge of said valve opening when said valve opening is open.
 2. A liquid-level control apparatus in accordance with claim 1, wherein said operating means is mounted externally of said bowl. 